Artist Profile - Jan Kerr

Jan Kerr - Contemporary Decoupage


On the Tiles Craft is the concept of Jan Kerr and is based in Eltham.


Jan has a professional background in Kindergarten teaching and community development with local government.The home based business began in 1996, became full-time after two years and expanded as demand and studio space grew.The finished work is exhibited and sold through maker's markets and country galleries.


Pre-fired standard tiles in various sizes are used to make feature tiles, trivets, framed tiles, coasters, fridge magnets, pendants and brooches. Tablemat and coaster sets, trays, crosses, mirrors and plaques are made using wood. Personalised items, such as name brooches, house number tiles, boxes, clocks and albums are made on application.The work involves the application of handpainted images from decoupage papers and acrylic paint to the tiles and wooden items, then finished with epoxy resin to give a hardened, heatproof surface. The designs are stylish and contemporary to trends, creating a wide range of product, themes and tonings. On the Tiles aspires to high quality work with attention to customer needs, without compromising the enjoyment of the creative process and the handcrafted technique. Each item is created individually and most designs are unique to On the Tiles style.


On the Tiles – self-managed business

Design and create decorative tiles, placemats, coasters, trays and other items, including custom made.
Market range of work and sell to galleries.
Direct sales at quality maker's markets.
Teach classes in contemporary decoupage.
Showcase and sale of work, as part of 'Celebrate Australia' Exhibition in Singapore 2003.
Research source of supplies to develop new items for the range.

Artist Profile - Shirley Barker

Shirley Barker - jewellery

I have been making and selling jewellery for many years. I completed a number of Silver Smithing courses some years ago and now combine gemstones into my creations. All of my pieces are one off designs and many of the gemstones in my jewellery I have collected on my trips to India . I collect all manner of beads, some precious, some semi precious, some bric a brac, and some modern manufactured beads. I like my necklaces to be graduated and always integrated within some aesthetic. I mix colours, textures and brilliance chosen on the basis of what is at hand.

I work primarily with gemstones and am fascinated by the history gemstones and the millions of years of combined workings of the elements that caresses and shapes them into works of art in their own right. I enjoy so much creating jewellery and sharing this with the people who purchase my pieces.

Artist profile - Teresa Bennett

Teresa Bennett - textile artist

My textile practice has been developed from a keen interest in knitting with further studies, to viewing textiles as a sculptural art form. In my final year at college, all my worked developed into on-off wall-hangings and sculpture. My end of year exhibition was very successful and encouraged me to further extend myself in this direction, culminating in winning the 2005 Old England Outdoor Sculpture Award with my piece ‘Woven Memories’, which hung in the Remembrance Garden at the Repatriation hospital.

I continue to explore the 3 dimensional through unique one-off scarves, wall-hanging and sculpture. Each adds to my knowledge of form, explores all sorts of materials, including recycled, nature and collected materials.

I want to show textiles in a non-traditional way, highlighting both skills and aesthetics. I want to create forms that make people look at things differently. My work cannot be done by machine as it develops its own life as it is created, show-casing the unique and beautiful nature of the hand-made.

Welcome to the 9"x5" Quality Makers Market

Welcome to the 9"x5" Quality Makers Market. The Market is managed by Banyule City Council with assistance from a voluntary Working Group.

ABOUT THE MARKET

9" x 5″ Quality Makers Market promotes the work of local crafted artists and designers, displaying unique handmade quality wares available for purchase. The market also aims to offer an outlet ‘North of the Yarra' for local artists; an arts incubator for new ideas; cultural opportunities for the community and promotion of the arts and cultural heritage of Heidelberg and surrounds.

We hope to keep you uptodate with what's happening at the market, profiling our wonderfully talented artists, and any special events.

Our next Market in on Sunday the 8th June from 10am till 4pm. We're undercover in the wonderful Banyule Arts Space. So come and have a cuppa with us.